Gene for Down's syndrome discovered

Scientist claim to have discovered the gene responsible for mental retardation in Down's syndrome, providing hope of a treatment for the thousands of sufferers in the UK.

Groundbreaking research by US academics has managed to single out one particular gene that, when over-expressed, leads to the cognitive impairments common among Down's syndrome sufferers.

The gene mutation affects the working of brain neurons, causing them to die off in middle age, leading to the early onset of Alzheimer's disease commonly seen in Down's syndrome.

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The finding means that scientists may eventually be able to counteract the effect of this gene, preventing the debilitating mental degeneration it causes.

"We may now have the opportunity to make a big difference in people's lives," commented neurologist Dr William Mobley, one of the lead researchers in the study.

"If we can decrease the expression of this gene we may be able to provide something more than supportive care to people with Down's syndrome - we might begin to think of helping children and adults with Down's syndrome to develop and age more normally."

Down's syndrome is caused by an additional chromosome 21, which contains hundreds of extra genes causing many symptoms of which mental retardation is just one.

The development of leukemia or childhood heart disease is also common in sufferers, with life expectancy severely reduced as a result.

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